Manchester United will have revenge on their minds when they host Manchester City in what promises to be a tasty Manchester Derby of the English Premier League Monday.
United, who hold a 15-point lead over City at the top of the table, have already sealed the Premier League title this season; so Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to see his side avenge their 6-1 loss to City at Old Trafford last season.
Of course a reverse with the same scoreline is next to impossible, but after pulling off a late victory at the Etihad in the league earlier, United will want to complete a double on their "noisy neighbors."
Manchester City will be playing for pride as much as anything else. At the end of the day, they still are the reigning Premier League champions and Roberto Mancini and co. will want to show the doubters that they are still very much a force to contend with.
"No one player plays very well against United because they play with fear," Mancini said.
"Because United have an importance as a team and a club, every team that plays against United plays very softly because they think 'this game is difficult, we cannot beat them'.
"I don't think that other teams don't play 100 percent but their mentality is poor in that game because they don't think they can do anything. But that is not true if you go there and play with a good mentality. In football, you can beat every team."
City certainly proved they are capable of defeating United last season, and while the title race will have an anti-climatic end this year compared to the last, there is still that needle between the sides that suggests this game will be extremely competitive.
United were not at their best against Chelsea in the F.A. Cup quarterfinals on Monday, and with Robin Van Persie continuing to misfire, Ferguson will be glad to have Wayne Rooney back in the side, after the forward missed the last two games through a groin injury picked up on international duty for England.
Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic, though, are ruled out while Rafael is expected to return to the starting lineup after shaking off his injury problem.
Micah Richards and Maicon are sidelined for City along with Jack Rodwell, but the likes of Samir Nasri, Matija Nastasic and David Silva have been passed fit.
The Manchester Derby at the moment is the biggest game in the English Premier League, and while there might not be much at stake, the tie certainly promises much drama, goals and excitement.
Expected lineups: Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani; Rooney, Van Persie.
Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Barry, Toure; Nasri, Tevez, Silva; Aguero.
Prediction: 2-2
